World Briefs

New Zealand is gearing up to host the Rugby World Cup next month. But its promotional plans are going awry, with residents complaining that some of the concepts for celebrating the country’s culture may just as likely invite ridicule.

“What were they thinking?” said Robyn Kippenberger, head of the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which opposed the planned sheep run.

Organizers had planned to parade the sheep and the scantily clad women through downtown Auckland as a climax to festivals throughout the country in the build-up to the World Cup final. They canceled those plans this week amid outcry from Ms. Kippenberger and others.

TRINIDAD

Prime minister diagnosed with dengue virus

PORT-OF-SPAIN — Doctors in Trinidad say the Caribbean island’s prime minister is among the nearly 1,700 people who have been diagnosed with dengue.

Trinidad’s health minister says Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has a mild form of the mosquito-borne virus and is expected to recover. Dr. Fuad Khan says the leader likely contracted the disease during a recent walking tour in the capital of Port-of-Spain.

The prime minister’s office released a statement late Tuesday saying Mr. Persad-Bissessar is working from home.

Dr. Khan says Trinidad is fighting a dengue outbreak and warns people to take precautions.